Dr. Sarat Kunapuli, D.O.
Contact & Location
918-494-2665
Tulsa, OK 74137
Dr. Kunapuli performs more knee replacement procedures than 94% of orthopedic surgeons in Oklahoma, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #6 of 103 ranked knee surgeons in Oklahoma.
About Dr. Kunapuli
Practice. Dr. Sarat Kunapuli is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The latest annual CMS data records 125 knee replacements and 64 hip replacements, 189 procedures in all. That is #6 in Oklahoma for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 86 procedures a year to 189, up 120%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 125 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 45.
Local context. Tulsa has 28 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 31 | 55 | 0 |
| 2015 | 50 | 65 | 0 |
| 2016 | 43 | 87 | 11 |
| 2017 | 67 | 94 | 13 |
| 2018 | 66 | 112 | 11 |
| 2019 | 63 | 114 | 0 |
| 2020 | 59 | 94 | 11 |
| 2021 | 55 | 110 | 0 |
| 2022 | 58 | 94 | 0 |
| 2023 | 66 | 124 | 0 |
| 2024 | 64 | 125 | 0 |
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims are one payer stream among several, and the share they represent differs by procedure. In 2024 it was 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement. Each verified count above is divided by its own procedure's range, and the results are added, to estimate total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count is the definitive, audited figure; this is a range derived from published national volume projections, not a measurement, and an individual practice can sit well outside it: how these ranges are derived, and their sources.
How Dr. Kunapuli Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Oklahoma state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Kunapuli's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 120% from 86 procedures in 2014 to 189 in the most recent data.
Hospital Affiliations & Quality
Quality ratings and complication rates are hospital-level metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon performance. Star ratings updated quarterly. Complication data covers a rolling 3-year period.
Patient Resources: Preparing for Knee Replacement
If you are considering knee replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
An overview of current surgical approaches including robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques, implant options, and expected outcomes.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
Medicare Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
Knee Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after knee replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full knee replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Kunapuli
How does Dr. Kunapuli's procedure volume compare to other Oklahoma surgeons?
Dr. Kunapuli has performed 189 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the Oklahoma average of 65 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Kunapuli ranks #7 out of 119 orthopedic surgeons in Oklahoma.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Kunapuli perform?
Dr. Kunapuli's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (125 cases) and hip replacement (64 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Kunapuli with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Kunapuli ranks #6 in Oklahoma for knee replacement with 125 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 119 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Kunapuli in Tulsa?
Yes. There are 28 orthopedic surgeons in Tulsa in the current Medicare dataset. Patients can compare procedure volumes and specializations to choose the surgeon who best fits their needs. Use the state page to view all Oklahoma surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Kunapuli represent?
The procedure counts shown are based on 2024 Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Medicare fee-for-service is only one payer stream, and the share of national volume it represents differs by procedure. In 2024 the share was 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Kunapuli's total volume across all insurers at roughly 640 to 800 procedures against the 189 verified here. Those shares are derived from published national volume projections rather than quoted from a single publication, and they are estimates with real uncertainty. The OrthoProcedures methodology page shows the full derivation, the sources, and the limits at orthoprocedures.com/data-methodology.html.
Has Dr. Kunapuli's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Kunapuli's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 86 procedures in 2014 to 189 in the most recent data, a 120% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 190 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Kunapuli perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Kunapuli's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (125 cases), hip replacement (64 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Kunapuli affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Kunapuli is affiliated with Oklahoma Surgical Hospital, Llc, Ascension St John Broken Arrow, Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee, Ascension St John Medical Center.
How does Dr. Kunapuli compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Tulsa?
Among the 28 orthopedic surgeons in Tulsa, Dr. Kunapuli ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Kunapuli is among the highest-volume surgeons in Tulsa.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Kunapuli practices?
Oklahoma Surgical Hospital, Llc (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate better than national average); Ascension St John Broken Arrow (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Dr. Kunapuli's 189 Medicare procedures are above the Tulsa average of 188. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Tulsa.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Yogesh Mittal | 415 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Justin Reid | 186 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Christopher Browne | 154 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jennifer Peterson | 143 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Chad Crawley | 115 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ryan Gursky | 112 | Hip, Knee |
Patient Resources & Verification
Research reviews, verify credentials, and check official quality data through these trusted sources:
Medicare Care Compare and NPI Registry are official U.S. government sources. Google reviews reflect user-submitted feedback. OrthoProcedures.com does not verify the accuracy of third-party review content.